Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has directed all national referral hospitals to submit security and operational audit reports within seven days, following the gruesome murder of a patient at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), on July 21, 2025.

The 52-year-old disabled patient at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) was found dead in Ward Seven with a fatal stab wound on July 17, 2025, and the suspect has since been arrested.

Duale’s directive was announced during a high-level meeting with CEOs of referral hospitals at Afya House in Nairobi.

During the meeting, Duale ordered that all referral hospitals should submit detailed security and operational audit reports within seven days, outlining existing gaps, corrective steps taken and urgent measures required.

“The recent events at KNH and other hospitals are unacceptable. These are not just isolated incidents as they reveal a systemic breakdown that must be urgently addressed,” he urged.

He emphasized that hospital CEOs bear direct responsibility for institutional safety, discipline and operational integrity and urged immediate internal reviews of security protocols, emergency preparedness, patient protection and staff conduct.

“The CS urged immediate internal reviews of security, emergency preparedness, patient protection, and staff conduct, and requested detailed audit reports within seven days,” the statement from the Ministry of Health read.

Duale also stressed the urgent need for reforms to fix weaknesses in the healthcare system and restore public trust and urged hospitals to revise their crisis communication plans to ensure quick responses during emergencies.

“This is a critical moment. Let us make our hospitals not just centers of excellence, but symbols of safety, service, and public trust,” Duale remarked.

The Health CS also stated that there are plans to work with the Ministry of Interior to improve coordination between hospitals and local security agencies.